India vs South Africa Highlights, 3rd ODI: Arshdeep, Samson Star As IND Beat SA By 78 Runs To Claim Series 2-1

India beat South Africa by 78 runs to claim series 2-1.

What a catch from Sai Sudharsan. The ball just stopped a bit and Klaasen could only manage a chip which went up in the air and the young Indian opener did the rest. South Africa have lost their side. SA 174/5 (32.2)

Arshdeep Singh picks up his second wicket and it's the big wicket of De Zorzi.

He is out LBW!

Live - https://t.co/u5YB5AZvpd #SAvIND pic.twitter.com/Qf3dIzc6Qp, — BCCI (@BCCI) December 21, 2023

Markram falls after playing a supporting knock. Washington Sundar gets his first wicket. SA 141/3 (26)

Rassie van der Dussen's painful stay at the crease comes to an end as Axar Patel gets him with an arm ball. SA 76/2 (14.4)

First wicket for India. Arshdeep Singh's relentless bowling has finally earned him a wicket. KL Rahul takes a good catch. SA 59/1 (9)

13 runs off the over as Mukesh Kumar needs to find his line and length according to the pitch. He is bowling back to back no-balls which is giving the opening batters exactly what they want. 

After putting into bat first, India have posted 296/8 after 50 overs. 

With the wickets of Sanju Samson and Axar Patel, South Africa have found themselves back into the game. India need to go past 280 from here to set a fighting target. 

Sanju Samson brings up his maiden 100 in ODI cricket. After scoring 4 half centuries, he has finally achieved this feat in his career. IND 235/4 (44)

Half century and out! Tilak Varma's handy knock of 52 off 77 balls comes to an end. Maharaj gets the wicket as India lose their fourth wicket. IND 217/4 (41.2)

Sanju Samson and Tilak Varma have handled the situation nicely with singles and an occasional boundary to keep the scoreboard running. 

Sanju Samson brings up his fifty in 66 balls. A lovely knock under pressure from the wicketkeeper batter. On the other hand, Tilak Varma stay has been painful. IND 121/3 (28)

The captain KL Rahul is back in the hut now as Wiaan Mulder finds himself in the wickets column. Tilak Varma is the new batter in. 

South Africa have introduced the spinners for the first time in the match with Keshav Maharaj in the attack. The run-rate has remained around 5.5 for some time post powerplay.

Sai Sudharsan has been caught on the crease as Beuran Hendricks picks up his first wicket. Both openers are now back in the hut. IND 49/2 (7.3)

Nandre Burger makes a good comeback as Rajat Patidar cameo-like knock ends inside the powerplay. The debutant was looking to dominate but a little movement inside got the better of him. IND 35/1 (4.5)

Sai Sudharsan has luck on his way as he survives a DRS call against Lizaad Williams. FOUR!! That is a good reply! through to the fence as he collects a timely boundary. IND 24/0 (4)

"We'll bowl first. Looks like a good wicket, won't change too much. We want to keep challenging ourselves, hopefully we can take wickets regularly and restrict them to a low total. One last push for most of the guys before a nice break, we'll try our best. Expect more of the same we did in the second ODI. The dimensions here are certainly different, so running hard between wickets will be key. No changes."

"Not really bothered by being asked to bat first. The wicket will be even for both innings and the lights come on pretty late here. We got ourselves to a good position in the previous game but ended up losing 5 wickets for 40 odd runs. Once we get a good start, we have to make it count. Today is another opportunity for the boys to prove themselves. This looks like a much better wicket than the previous two, hopefully we can get plenty of runs on the board. Two changes - Rajat Patidar makes his ODI debut, Rutu misses out after doing some damage to his finger. Also, Kuldeep gets a rest and Yuzi Chahal comes in."

India have made two changes: Rajat Patidar is making his debut as he replaced Ruturaj Gaikwad whereas Kuldeep Yadav made way for Yuzvendra Chahal.

No changes in South Africa's Playing XI.

South African captain Aiden Markram once again won the toss and opted to bowl first in the 3rd ODI match against India at Boland Park in Paarl.

Rajat Patidar has been handed his ODI cap and he is set to make his debut for India today.

1st T20I: Match called off in Durban

2nd T20I: South Africa won by five wickets in Gqeberha

3rd T20I: India won by 106 runs in Johannesburg

1st ODI: India won by 8 wickets in Johannesburg

2nd ODI: South Africa won by 8 wickets in Gqeberha 

A picturesque venue for the series decider.

Hello and welcome to Boland Park for the third ODI.#SAvIND pic.twitter.com/hNsUBhKMsp, — BCCI (@BCCI) December 21, 2023

Landed in Paarl

Ready for the ODI series decider #TeamIndia | #SAvIND pic.twitter.com/Txllph4tdl, — BCCI (@BCCI) December 21, 2023

Arshdeep Singh: 2 matches 6 wickets Avg: 10.83

Avesh Khan: 2 matches 4 wickets Avg: 17.50

Nandre Burger: 2 matches 3 wickets Avg: 21.67

Beuran Hendricks: 1 match 2 wickets Avg: 17

Kesha Maharaj: 2 matches 2 wickets Avg: 35

Tony de Zorzi: 2 matches 147 runs Avg: 147 Strike Rate: 102.08

Sai Sudharsan: 2 matches 117 runs Avg: 117 Strike Rate: 92.86

KL Rahul: 2 matches 56 runs Avg: 56 Strike Rate: 87.50

Shreyas Iyer: 1 match 52 runs Avg: 52 Strike Rate: 115.56

Reeza Hendricks: 2 matches 52 runs Avg: 26 Strike Rate: 58.43

Both teams have faced off in 93 ODI matches so far with South Africa having an upper hand. They have won 51 matches whereas India have emerged victorious on 39 occasions. Three matches did not produce any results.

When it comes to recent results, India have an edge with four wins in the last five ODI matches.

"Probably win the toss, there was a bit of help in the wicket in the 1st half. It was a hard wicket but having said that Sai and I were set, had we gone on and made a big 100, we could have got 50-60 extra and those are learnings we will take from here. Had we got 240 would have been good but unfortunately, we lost wickets at regular intervals and they had help from the wicket."

The hosts South Africa put up a dominating performance in the second match to make a comeback in the series and made it 1-1. They defeated India by 8 wickets with Tony de Zorzi smashing a magnificent century to help his team clinch the victory in 42.3 overs while chasing a 212-run target.

Aiden Markram-led side was brilliant with the ball as well as they bowled India out for just 211 runs in 46.2 overs.

The three-match series is level at 1-1 and the final match is scheduled to take in Paarl as both teams eye a series win. India lost the series 0-3 when they toured South Africa last time in 2021-22. 

The ODI series win will also set the tone for the winning side heading into the two-match Test series.

The T20I series ended with a result of 1-1 

Hello and welcome to our live blog of the 3rd ODI match between India and South Africa from Boland Park in Paarl. The three-match series is level at 1-1 and both teams will be eyeing to clinch the series with a victory today. Stay tuned for all the live and latest updates.